Hurricanes Poua welcome increased player support for Sky Super Rugby Aupiki 2024 season
- Extended round robin season of six weeks plus grand final
- Longer pre-season with two matches
- Player payments more than double
Hurricanes Poua has welcomed the news that Sky Super Rugby Aupiki players will receive increased support under an enhanced competition for 2024 and 2025 which brings higher pay, more games and a longer pre-season.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) unveiled the new format today which will provide a six-week round robin competition with the two top teams playing in the final. In addition, players will be supported in a longer pre-season training programme.
Hurricanes General Manager of Rugby Tony Philp said the announcement was exciting for the competition, club, and our Poua team.
“This is a fantastic step forward towards where the game can potentially go. Being able to play everyone twice will bring consistency, and having a straight final to find a winner of Aupiki is going to create strong competition right from the get-go,” he said.
“From a team point of view, we’re really excited for our players, coaching, and management staff. With the extended competition it gives us more time to continue to build on our culture and grow our people to deliver a performance to be proud of.”
Each club will contract 30 players (an increase of two players per squad) who will take part in an eight-week individual paid preparation window before a four-week pre-season that will include two matches. Non-Black Ferns players who are contracted will see payments more than doubling to a minimum of $17,000 in recognition of the longer season.
The extended format reflects the combined efforts of the Super Rugby Clubs, NZR and the Rugby Players Association who are committed to ensuring the elite game is sustainable and keeps providing a pathway for players to be Black Ferns.
This format will be in place for the 2024 and 2025 seasons in the build up to Rugby World Cup 2025 in England.